Path studies at open uas
Path studies refer to extensive competence modules consisting of courses included in a UAS degree. By completing path studies, you can be eligible to apply to a university of applied sciences. As a path student, you study with the degree students. The studies are carried out according to the timetable of each group. Studies may take place in the daytime, in the evenings and on weekends. Some of the studies may also be online studies.
Path to degree studies
A personal study plan (PSP) is drawn up for each path student. Your background, any previous studies, wishes and objectives are considered when planning the PSP. As a rule, the studies are first-year courses. NB! Recognition of prior learning (RPL) doesn’t concern students in Open University studies (study paths, individual courses). If a student has completed studies that could qualify for credit transfer, he can choose some other courses instead during the Open UAS studies. The RPL process concerns only students who have a study right in a degree program.
If you complete at least 45 credits in accordance with the objectives of the degree programme, you will be eligible to apply to a university of applied sciences. In this case, you can apply to the degree programme through a separate application process. The application process takes place in the studyinfo.fi service. If you have completed path studies, you can apply for degree studies between 1 April and 31 May, and 1 October and 30 November. Admissions to degree studies can be made on the basis of an interview or aptitude assessment, for example. The Head of the Degree Programme decides on the practical matters of each study field.
Path studies are offered in almost all Centria degree programmes. As a rule, the studies begin at the turn of August-September. The study schedule is specified in your personal study plan.
In Master’s degree studies, the scope of path studies is 10 out of 60 credits and 15 out of 90 credits. The studies follow the first year’s study plan of the degree programme.
Centria UAS guarantees path students the same services provided by student counsellors and study advisors as degree students. The tutor teacher of the group and the student counsellor are responsible for guiding the student.
The academic year 2023-2024 starts with the orientation days on week 34. Also students on the study path are obligated to take part in the orientation days. During the days students will get to know Centria, other students and the teachers. During the days students will also get familiar with the practical side of studying, for example the information systems that are used in Centria.
After finishing the required 45 credits, students can apply for degree studies. Applying takes place in the studyinfo.fi service.
An open university student is not entitled to any kind of financial benefits (for example student allowance, discounts in trains and buses) based on his/her studies. If you are a customer of Public employment and business services, make sure your studies are approved before you enrol in the study path.
Centria UAS has agreed with the student restaurants at its campuses that path students will receive a small discount for meals. To get the discount, inform the cashier that you are a path student.
In Finnish universities and universities of applied sciences, tuition fees will be charged from citizens of a country outside the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland. Please note that if you are obliged to paying the tuition fee, you can’t be accepted into the study path. Also note that a student visa will not be admitted based on Open University studies.
You can apply for studies during the summer. Students are selected for path studies in the order of registration. If you apply, you will be notified of the student admission results by email after the end of the application period.
Application period opens on Mon 22 May, 2023 at 8.00 and ends on 6 August, 2023.
The application form requires suomi.fi authentication. 1-5 students are selected, depending on the size of the degree group.
The result of the student selection will be informed to the applicants by e-mail in the beginning of week 33 at the latest.
Applicants in the Nursing-programme
A motivation letter is required from the applicant. In this letter applicant tells about their background and also describes their study goals and suitability for the field of study. Applicant must send the letter as an attachment by email to the head of degree programme Timo Kinnunen (timo.kinnunen(a)centria.fi) by 6th August, 2023 at the latest. Applicant may also be interviewed by phone.
Please notice that the applicant must meet the certain requirements of the Finnish legislation to be able to study in the Nursing-programme. The so-called SORA legislation applies to education leading to a UAS degree in the fields of social services and health care, humanities and education, sports and exercise and seafaring. These fields have requirements concerning the safety of minors, patient and client safety or traffic safety which restrict student admission. In these fields, it is required that health and functional capacity of approved applicants are such that they are able to take part in the practical assignments or training relating to studies.
Familiarize yourself with the field-specific requirements on health and functional capacity before submitting your application: https://www.uasinfo.fi/to-the-applicant/#health
Additional information
At the beginning of the studies, a personal study plan will be drafted for you. After this, you can register for courses through the Peppi system. If necessary, the student counsellor will assist in matters related to course registrations.
Terms of cancellation are mentioned in the same email as the student admission results. If you join in the middle of the academic year, you are considered to have started your studies from the date on which your data has been registered in the Peppi system. If you wish to cancel your studies, the cancellation must be made within one (1) week after registration of the data. If you no longer wish to participate in the studies during the following semester, you must notify of the cancellation before the semester begins. You must submit any cancellation in writing to opiskelijapalvelut@centria.fi.
Path studies are priced as followed:
- Bachelor level studies, 45 ECTS credits, 200,00 €
- Master level studies (Business Management, Health Care and Social Services) 15 ECTS credits, 150,00 €
- Master level studies (Technology) 10 ECTS credits, 100,00 €
Path studies are invoiced in one installment after the studies have started.
The study fees of the Open UAS are based on registration. Dropping out or not completing studies does not justify cancelling payments or reimbursing invoices. Study fees that have already been charged will not be refunded even if you decide to cancel your studies.
Invoicing the study fee and cancellation of the studies
NB! If the application must be cancelled during the summer, please send a notification to averko(a)centria.fi.
After the application period, the applicant will be informed about the results of the student selection by e-mail. The instructions on how to confirm the study place are given in the e-mail. If the applicant doesn’t confirm the study place, the place will be cancelled. If the study place is confirmed, the student will be registered as an open university student in Centria UAS. This also means that the study fee will be charged. Open university payments are based on the registration: cancellation of the studies or dropping out doesn’t affect the invoicing.
The recommended study entitlement period for path studies in Bachelor’s studies (45 credits) is one (1) year. After this, the study entitlement period may be extended for a weighty reason at your own request. You send the request by email to the Student Services studentservices(at)centria.fi. For extended right to study you need to have at least 25 credits recorded in the study register. The study entitlement period can be extended six months at a time. The maximum study entitlement period for path studies is two years. Teacher tutor follows the progress of your studies.
Studying at open UAS, enrollment, study fees: avoinamk@centria.fi
Study counselling: opo@centria.fi
Bachelor’s degrees
Centria offers bachelor’s degree programmes conducted in English in business, technology and health care. Close to 600 students graduate from Centria University of Applied Sciences annually. Each year around 90 of the graduates are international students.
At Centria, students get a wide choice of educational opportunities, practically oriented teaching methods, and good connections to the professional world.